We begin our ride this morning by pedaling out of town along a relatively flat 25 km stretch, passing through a serene landscape of terraced rice paddies and scattered minority villages.

From there, the terrain shifts as we ascend 800 meters over the next 25 km, climbing winding mountain roads into the dramatic limestone ranges, where towering perpendicular rock walls rise around us. Our route takes us past the renowned Heaven Gate 1 pass, where panoramic views and cool mountain air await.

As we pass through remote highland villages—often cloaked in mist—we’ll be welcomed with warm smiles and greetings from the local communities. At the summit, we are rewarded with breathtaking vistas, including the iconic Tam Son Valley with its distinctive 'Twin Hills', and the rolling countryside surrounding Quan Ba town.

We then continue our ride towards Yen Minh, where a vehicle transfer will complete the final leg into town in the late afternoon.